Colorful Run Funds D.A.R.E
By Denton Postlewait
Delta Digital News Service
JONESBORO – Citizens young and old participated in the third annual Color Me D.A.R.E. 5K run at Joe Mack Campbell Park to raise money for the Jonesboro Police Department D.A.R.E program.
The D.A.R.E program educates all fifth-grade students in all Jonesboro schools. This includes all public and private schools. The money raised goes towards a student T-shirt, books and miscellaneous items used in the D.A.R.E program. During the first year of the race, 80 runners signed up. Three years later, over 170 runners signed up either online or at the starting line. DJ Buzzkill played music before, during and after the race, while members of JPD barbecued for the runners after they finished.
D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The JPD program educated all fifth-grade students in Jonesboro. (Photo by Denton Postlewait)
Sgt. Morshaydrick Racy thanked the community for its support and said the lessons the D.A.R.E program teaches are life-long.
“It’s things that can stick with them and that their parent can reiterate to them at home,” he said. “It means a lot that this many people would support our program.”
Chief Rick Elliot attended the April 20 event and said the Jonesboro community keeps the program alive. Funding for the D.A.R.E. program comes from fundraising and donations.
“Jonesboro is a very giving community. Any time we have an event like this the people of Jonesboro always comes out and support it,” he said. “It takes fundraisers like this to support this program.”
Before the race, participants started with a Zumba class to warm up. Then, they gathered at the starting line and threw paint into the air to create a plume of brightly colored smoke.
Runners warm up with a Zumba class prior to the start. (Photo by Denton Postlewait)
JPD Record Supervisor Mary Oliver said the event helps raise money to keep the D.A.R.E. program in the schools.
“D.A.R.E. is a good program for our kids in the schools,” she said. “We’ve got to keep the community together in supporting D.A.R.E.”
After a rainy week, the weather cooperated and provided a perfect day for the run. During the 5K, serval community businesses set up stations along the route and threw color as runners passed by. Participants finished the race covered in paint.
For anyone who missed the event but would like to support the JPD D.A.R.E. program, visit the Jonesboro D.A.R.E Facebook page.
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